News
HRH presents Operation Herrick medals to soldiers at Clarence House upon their return from Afghanistan
6th February 2008
The Prince of Wales today presented soldiers from the Mercian regiment with their Afghan campaign medals after inviting them to Clarence House for a reception.
The 44 servicemen from 2nd Battalion the Mercian regiment were fighting the Taliban a few months ago in Helmand Province but this afternoon were presented with Operation Herrick Medals by The Prince who is their Colonel-in-Chief.
Two others who are still recovering from injuries inflicted by the Taliban received the honour privately inside the Royal residence.
The battalion's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Banton described the ceremony as a morale boost to his men and something they had looked forward to.
He added: "Before the men came here they were hugely excited, they were very proud to be getting their medals from The Prince.
"They recognise The Prince looks out for us and takes his responsibility as Colonel very seriously - he loves soldiers and always looks out for our best interests."
The battalion took part in heavy fighting during its six month tour in Afghanistan which ended in October last year.
It faced intense resistance from the Taliban as it cleared the so-called Green Zone - a narrow strip of lush vegetation along both sides of the Helmand River.
During its tour the battalion helped to establish local governance in Gereshk and restore the bustling market town.
But nine soldiers were killed during operations in Afghanistan and 20 more seriously injured.
When the battalion, formerly known as 1st Battalion the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters regiment (29th/45th Foot), returned to Britain and paraded through their home cities of Nottingham, Derby and Worcester they were greeted by thousands of supporters.
Lt Col Banton added: "I think public recognition of what soldiers do on their behalf is really, really important.
"They are sent by the government to do a job and they want to feel proud that they have done that - it's all about recognition."
In brilliant sunshine, the soldiers from the 2nd Battalion were lined up in two rows in the gardens of Clarence House as the Band of The Prince of Wales' Division played songs made famous by singer Frank Sinatra.
The Prince slowly made his way along the lines, pinning medals to the soldiers' chests as he went along and stopping to chat to each one for a few minutes.
As The Prince moved among immaculately turned out servicemen dressed in their khaki uniforms, he was watched from a balcony by The Duchess of Cornwall.
Although Her Royal Highness was not a part of the official engagement, she took time out to watch her husband for almost an hour as he awarded the honours.
After the ceremony, The Prince hosted a reception in Clarence House for the soldiers and spent more time chatting to them.
Private Gareth James, 19, from Worcester, was excited about receiving his Afghan campaign medal.
He said: "This is my first operational medal and it's amazing.
"It's the accumulation of everything I've trained for over the last few years.
"The Prince asked about my arm as I was injured in a rocket attack and took a piece of shrapnel to the arm but I was all right after a few days."
Talking about one of the scariest moments during his tour of duty, the private added: "The first time I got mortared was scary, you don't know where they're going to land. You find a corner, put your helmet on and hope it's not going to land near you."
The soldier said his thoughts turned to a fallen comrade during the medal ceremony. He said: "I was thinking about my friend that died not too far away from me - it really brought it down to earth."
Private James's colleague who was killed was Lance Corporal Paul "Sandy" Sandford, 23, from Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, who was shot in the neck during an operation in Upper Gereshk, Helmand Province, in June last year.
Private John Emerson, 19, from Nottingham, when asked what he remembered from his tour in Afghanistan, replied: "Getting there and coming back alive - that's about it. No-one wants to mention it. Everyone wants to go forward and on to the next job."
He added: "During the ceremony I was thinking about my mates we'd lost. It would be better if they were stood next to me."
Another soldier from the 2nd Battalion, Corporal Ethan Beardsley, 25, from Derby, said he had already received a medal for service in Northern Ireland but said it was great to receive this campaign honour from a member of the royal family.
He described how he had clashes with the enemy, adding: "That was scary but we had to go out the next day with the thought they were out there."
But in another engagement the Taliban were not hidden. "That was rifle-to-rifle and that was not so scary because you could see them," said the soldier.
He added: "The Taliban, they can be underestimated. Then again there's different levels. They range from farmers and normal people (upwards). It all depends what's coming at you."
Asked if he remembered his colleagues who died in Afghanistan, the corporal replied: "All the time. Not a day goes by when you don't think about them. We were all friends and they're always with you."